Montana long ranger rifle rest

ABSTRACT

A folding, compact, lightweight, in-the-field Hunting and Target Rifle Rest is disclosed utilizing a novel solid means of attachment to hold a rifle securely in place for maximum accuracy. The rest includes various means of attachments to solid objects including but not limited to trees, stumps, shrubs, tripods, or any other objects that may be strapped to or clamped to and fit into the rest clamp. The rest incorporates various means of adjusting the rifle when secured for repositioning its aim and comfort to the user. The rest includes attachment hardware for cameras and spotting scopes that can directly focus at the same time, on the same field of view, that the rifle is aimed towards no matter how the rifle&#39;s aim is repositioned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I claim the benefit of the filing date of provisional application and the date it was filed 61/279,609 Oct. 23, 2009

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved foldable compact method to hold and secure a hunting or target rifle in a field-use situation.

Known methods for securing rifles in target and hunting situations require secure table top type platforms to hold these rests. Examples of these are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. D540, 9045s; and D471, 248S. They consist of less portable heavier rests not suitable for field use and portability. A tree hook rests in U.S. Pat. No. Des 348,215s offers only a single non-adjustable rest which is also referred to as a tree attachment. Another example of a rifle rest is covered in U.S. Pat. No.6,802, 483 which attaches to a tree stand. Again, this rest does not offer any adjustment or portability, requiring a tree stand or platform for attachment. Other types consist of portable sticks and poles. Some rifle rests only allow the front portion or forearm portion of the rifle to rest, restricting the firm rest accuracy. These all are designed to sit on the ground or a solid base. The present invention includes video and still camera or spotting scope attaching methods along side the attached rifle to capture the picture of the area the rifle is positioned towards, no matter how the rifle is repositioned or adjusted for aim the attached camera or spotting scope retains the same focused window as the rifle. No known rests currently have that dual ability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a foldable, lightweight portable, in- the- field rifle rest for accurate hunting and target shooting, with an attachment fixture to photograph or video record the shot or the hunt. The rest has folding capabilities to minimize bulk when carried into the field on a person. It is opened by pivoting the screw outward and firming its position with the adjustment wing handle. The firm attaching method incorporated in the rest includes a screw for fastening the rest to objects including but not limited to a tree, bush, or other penetrable surface. Available accessories include a target pivot tube arm that replaces the screw arm, a ratchet strap arm that replaces the screw arm, a clamp arm that also replaces the screw arm and an optional anchor arm that enhances further rigidity to the target pivot tube attachment accessory. The screw would be turned into a penetrable surface such as but not limited to a tree or bush.

To secure the rest with the target attachment accessory put in place, the aim of the rifle, horizontal as well as vertical is quickly locked into place with the adjustment wing handle. With the rachet strap attachment accessory put in place on the rest, rachet straps can be put around objects including but not limited to trees, fence posts, or other objects that they may fit around. With the clamp attachment accessory put in place on the rest, the clamp can be closed on objects including but not limited to trucks, cars, ATV's, fences, etc. A camera bracket attached to the rest allows either a spotting scope or a video camera to be attached to the rest. Once the rest is secured as mentioned in the preceding attachment methods, the two rifle support prongs are pivoted out of their folded positions in preparation to receive the rifle. The rifle is placed on the rest into and between the two rifle support prongs in the front and back of the rest. Because of the universal flexibility of the screw and other accessory mounting shaft methods, on either side of the rifle support beam, the front and back for the rest is determined by the mounting position or if the user is left or right handed. The prongs are tapered to allow different sized rifles by their placement depth into and between the prongs. The prongs are coated with rubber to protect the rifle finish and more securely hold the rifle in a fixed position. With the rifle in a two point secured position it is now rigid for aiming. By loosening or tightening the adjustment wing handle located under the screw arm, the shooter can reposition the rifle's left to right aim as needed and re- secure it as needed.

By turning the entire rest into or out of the tree or attached object, the up or down aiming point can be adjusted. In the case of the various attaching accessories, the up and down as well as horizontal is achieved by loosening the adjustment wing handle which allows the desired accessory tube to pivot within the accessory clamp. Once aim is achieved, the accessory clamp is tightened.

The camera/spotting scope bracket is removed from the rifle support beam by turning and withdrawing the camera mounting screw holding the camera/spotting scope to the side of the rifle support beam. Once loose, the camera/spotting scope bracket can be withdrawn from its holstered position. The camera/spotting scope bracket is put into position by threading it on the left or right side of the rifle support beam depending on desired mounting position. The camera or spotting scope can now be attached to the rest with the screw common to the adapting methods of most cameras and spotting scopes. Once the camera or spotting scope is put into position corresponding to the aimed rifle, it can visually capture the object being shot at by the rifle no matter where the rifle is aimed while fixed on the rest.

To utilize the various attachment accessories rather than the screw arm attachment. The screw arm is removed by loosening and removing the adjustment wing handle and removing the screw arm. The accessory clamp is put in place of the screw arm, and the pivot tube protruding from the various accessories is placed in and through the accessory clamp and the clamp tightened by turning the adjustment wing handle until secure.

The Target attachment accessory like the screw arm, is attached to a penetrable object by threading the target pivot tube into an object such as a tree in a similar manner as you would a tree step. The ratchet strap attachment accessory utilizes two ratchet straps that are secured through the ratchet strap attachment loops, around the attached object, and tightened. The clamp accessory attachment is closed on objects until secure. The rifle support beam is attached to all three accessory attachments in the following manner: The pivot tube protruding from each attachment is placed in and through the accessory clamp, and the clamp tightened with the adjustment wing handle. By utilizing each of these accessories the user still retains the same aim adjustment flexibility and camera/spotting scope versatility as covered herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 indicates the invention in a folded position. The Rifle support beam and screw arm have been rotated until they are parallel, rifle support prongs are folded down, and camera/spotting scope bracket has been slid into the stow away holster and secured to the rifle support beam with the camera mount screw.

FIG. 2 indicates the Invention in a completely open position, ready to be screwed into a penetrable object, ready to receive the rifle, and ready to attach a camera or spotting scope.

FIG. 3A indicates the invention in a field use situation whereby it is attached to a tree. The rifle is positioned into the two rifle support prongs, a video camera has been mounted to the camera/spotting scope bracket, and the combination is ready to be pivoted up or down, right or left, aimed and fired.

FIG. 3B indicates a break down illustration of the invention. FIG. 3B is shown with the screw arm attachment accessory as is being utilized for tree attachment in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 indicates a break down illustration of the rifle support beam and how the camera/spotting scope bracket is attached. FIG. 4 further indicates how a spotting scope attaches to the camera/spotting scope bracket.

FIG. 5A indicates a breakdown of the invention wherein the screw arm has been replaced with the accessory clamp and the target pivot tube attachment accessory, which allows for fine tune adjustment vertical and horizontal rifle aim for target and extreme long range accuracy.

FIG. 5B indicates a side view of the invention using the same target pivot tube attachment accessory as shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B indicates an end view of the rifle support beam mounted onto the target pivot tube attachment accessory. FIG. 5B indicates an additional attachment accessory reference character 13 (Anchor arm). The screw end of the anchor arm attaches to the same penetrable object as the target pivot tube attachment accessory, the other end hooks into the end of the pivot tube and turn buckle is tightened to provide optional further rigidity to the target pivot tube attachment accessory.

FIG. 6 indicates the invention illustrated utilizing the ratchet strap attachment accessory as the means of securing the rest to an object such as but not limited to a tree. The accessory clamp is tightened down on the ratchet strap accessory pivot tube in the same manner as the target pivot tube as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 7 indicates the invention illustrated utilizing the clamp attachment accessory as the means of securing the rest to an object. The clamp pivot tube is attached to the rifle support beam in the same manner as the attachment accessories in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6, which is by using the accessory clamp and adjustment wing handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings throughout several views corresponding to like elements, FIG. 1 indicates the folded rest in a position to be easily carried on a person. FIG. 2 indicates the rest in an open position whereby the screw arm is loosened from the rifle support beam by turning the adjustment wing handle, permitting the screw arm to be turned either left or right, positioning the screw arm for tree attachment. When the appropriate position of the arm is made, the adjustment wing handle is tightened. FIG. 2 indicates the screw arm in a right angle position to the rifle support beam whereby the entire rest can be used to turn the screw into a tree. FIG. 3, refers to the rest in the attached position to a tree utilizing the screw arm attachment accessory. FIG. 2 indicates the front and rear rifle support prongs pivoted upwards from the folded position to receive the rifle. FIG. 3A indicates the camera/spotting scope bracket attached to the rifle support beam after it is removed from its carry position affixed to the side of the rifle support beam in FIG. 1. The camera/spotting scope bracket is removed from its attached and holstered position in FIG. 1. by loosening the camera mount screw on the camera/spotting scope bracket attached to the rifle support beam. Once this screw is loose, the camera/spotting scope bracket can be withdrawn from the stow away holster by pulling it out. FIG. 3A indicates the camera/spotting scope attached to the rifle support beam tightly securing it to the rifle support beam. There is a threaded hole on either side of the rifle support beam form mounting options.

Referring to FIG. 3A, whereby the rest is in a position firmly attached to a tree, a rifle is positioned into the two rifle support prongs securing it in two positions. The adjustment wing handle can be loosened to permit the rifle to be easily repositioned to the right or left accommodating aiming position. The up and down aiming position option is made by turning the entire rest further into or out of the tree, or in the case of the various accessory attachments, by loosening the adjustment wing handle, pivoting the rifle up/down or horizontal and re-tightening the adjustment wing handle as shown in FIGS. 5,6, and 7.

Referring to FIG. 3, whereby the camera is attached to the camera/spotting bracket by the camera mount screw located on the camera/spotting scope bracket, any rifle aim adjustment will correspond to the camera pointed position once the camera is focused to the same corresponding rifle aim.

Referring to FIG. 4, whereby a spotting scope is attached to the camera/spotting scope bracket by the camera mount screw located on the camera/spotting scope bracket, any rifle aim adjustment will correspond to the spotting scope pointed position once the spotting scope is focused to the same corresponding rifle aim.

Turning now to FIG. 5 thru 7 of the drawings shown are preferred options of rest attachment methods. FIG. 6 refers to a ratchet strap attachment accessory whereby the adjustment wing handle once again is loosened to remove the previously installed attached accessory from the rifle support beam. The optional ratchet shaft pivot tube is positioned in and through the accessory clamp on the rifle support beam and attached by securing the adjustment wing handle. The ratchet tree channel is attached to the ratchet strap arm by threading it onto the threaded end of the ratchet strap arm. Each of the two ratchet straps are looped through the ratchet eyes on each side of the channel base then around objects such as but not limited to a tree, and locked into position to firmly secure the rest.

Referring to FIG. 7, a clamp attachment accessory that replaces the previously installed attachment accessory is attached under the rifle support beam again retained with the adjustment wing handle. The clamp is used to attach the rest to objects such as but not limited to trucks, cars, ATVs, tree branches, and other surfaces that fit into the clamp.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a target attachment accessory is attached utilizing the accessory attaching clamp. The pivot tube welded to an anchor screw is screwed into a penetrable object such as but not limited to a tree, positioned in and through the attaching clamp, the adjustment wing handle is loosened to allow vertical as well as horizontal positioning of the rifle, then tightened for solid aim.

Referring to FIG. 5B, an anchor arm attachment accessory that is utilized by turning the screw end of the anchor arm into the same penetrable surface as the target attachment accessory, such as but not limited to a tree. The hook of the anchor arm attaches to the far end of the pivot tube. Tightening the turn buckle provides additional rigidity to the gun rest.

FIG. 1

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prongs -   3. Screw Arm -   4. Adjustment Wing Handle -   14. Camera/Spotting Scope Bracket -   6. Stow Away Holster -   7. Camera Mount Screw

FIG. 2

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prongs -   3. Screw Arm -   4. Adjustment Wing Handle -   14. Camera/Spotting Scope Bracket -   7. Camera Mount Screw -   6. Stow away holster

FIG. 3A

-   18. Tree

FIG. 3B

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prongs -   3. Screw Arm -   4. Adjustment Wing Handle -   5. Rifle Support Prong Pads

FIG. 4

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prongs -   6. Stow Away Holster -   11. Spotting Scope -   14. Camera/Spotting Scope Bracket

FIG. 5A

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prongs -   4. Adjustment Wing Handle -   5. Rifle Support Prong Pads -   10. Accessory Clamp -   12. Target Pivot Tube -   17. Tree Screw

FIG. 5B

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prongs -   10. Accessory Clamp -   12. Target Pivot Tube -   13. Anchor Arm

FIG. 6

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prongs -   4 Adjustment Wing Handle -   5. Rifle Support Prong Pads -   8. Ratchet Strap Accessory Pivot Tube -   10. Accessory Clamp -   15. Channel Base -   19. Ratchet Strap Attachment Loops

FIG. 7

-   1. Rifle Support Beam -   2. Rifle Support Prong -   4. Adjustment Wing Handle -   10. Accessory Clamp -   20. Clamp Attachment Accessory 

1. An in-the-field portable adjustable rifle rest that accurately positions a rifle for extreme range accuracy: Secure in-the-field attachment methods including but not limited to in the tree screw, ratchet strap wrap and clamp options, anchor attachment for further stability, along with camera and spotting scope attachment capabilities, that gives this rest the versatility options not available on any other existing rest.
 2. The versatility in claim 1 wherein said portability includes complete folding capability permitting the user to easily and compactly carry the rest on their person.
 3. The adjustability in claim 1 wherein said rest has an instant adjustable method to move the rifle both horizontally and vertically for repositioning yet maintain firm aim integrity and comfort to the shooter.
 4. The attachment methods in claim 1 wherein attaching said rest include screw attachment for turning into a tree or other wood object or penetrable objects until the rest becomes firmly secure. Included attachment for said rest to be attached to objects with ratchet straps until the rest is firmly secure. Included attachment for said rest to be attached to objects such as cars, ATVs, fences, tree branches and other objects with a clamp until the rest is firmly secure.
 5. The attachment ability in claim 1 to attach a camera or spotting scope to said rest that permits the camera or spotting scope to accurately follow the exact aiming position of the rifle rest no matter the adjusted rest position.
 6. The attachment ability in claim 1 wherein the rest can be attached by accessories either to the left or right or up or down side of a fixed object.
 7. The picture or video recording ability in attachment claim 5 permitting the camera to record a picture or digital image or images as the rifle is being utilized in claim 1, aimed, fired, corresponding to and in conjunction with the rifle's pointed position while being used by one person.
 8. The spotting scope and or telescopic device or night vision device to focus on the same image as the rifle in claim 1 is being aimed, fired, corresponding to and in conjunction with the rifles pointed position.
 9. The attachment ability in claim 1 wherein anchor attachments can be utilized to enhance further stability for maximum accuracy. 